Air conditioning control apparatus



Feb. 23, 1965 A. J. BERGER 3,170,629

AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 29, 1962 Ti 90 INVENTOR. 6'5 vnni ALVIN 33m? United States Patent 07 AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL APPARATUS Alvin J. Berger, Morton Grove, Ill., assignor to Honeywell Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 240,917.

Claims. ((31.236-4) My invention relates to improved air conditioning control apparatus and more, particularly to a simplified control apparatus for an air conditioning unit which utilizes motive power from the air circulating means motor for operation of the valve through control of a self-contained thermal system.

While automatic control apparatus for air conditioning units is well known and takes many forms, the present invention is directed to a simplified control apparatus for an air conditioning unit such as a unit ventilator which eliminates a number of the component parts thereof. This improved control apparatus utilizes the motive power from the fan motor for operation of the control valve in addition to operation of a fan. A reversible type friction drive is associated with the fan motor which operates through a drive cable to power and control the oper ation of the valve and a closed thermal system or thermostat controls the operation and direction of rotation of the drive and hence the operation of the valve. Provision is also made for summer-winter changeover at the valve through the drive system such that the device may be reverse or direct acting for given temperature changes sensed by the thermal system.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved air conditioning control apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an improved air conditioning control apparatus means for utilizing a single motive source for operating the fan and control valve. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide in control apparatus of this type a friction drive from the fan motor withcontrol of the same from the thermal sensing system for operation of the valve. 9

Another object of this invention is to provide inapparatus of this type a simplified summer-winter changeover arrangement.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with a unit ventilator type air conditioner utilizing the improved control apparatus of the subject invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the unit ventilator air conditioner showing the arrangement of parts;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of the friction drive I 3,179,629 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 cated generally at 30 which motor is conventional and is normally of the electric type. The input supply conductors indicated at 32 extend to a manual switch 33 positioned in the top of a ventilator housing being connected therefrom through conductors 35 to the input of the motor. Thus to initiate ventilator operation, the circulator fan must be turned on and the temperature control, as will be later defined, must be placed in a desired operating position. As will be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, an output shaft 36 of the motor 30 connects directly to the fan for driving the same and this shaft includes a pair of generally at 42 with a return pipe to the source indicated at 45. It will be understood that the electrical connections 32 and the piping connections 41, 45 will be the only external supply conduits connected to the ventilator. All of the control apparatus will be contained therein and a single drive motor of the electric type, as indicated by the fan motor 30, will be the only source of power for the same.

The operation of the valve 42 from the motor 30 is controlled by means of the friction drive or clutch 40 through the use of a closed thermal sensitive system. This thermal sensitive system includes a sensing bulb' 48, an expansion member and a setting means or cable 57 terminating in a control knob 54 on the top of the ventilator housing. Thevdetails of the .drive clutch will best .be seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 in which the sensing bulb is connected by means of a conduit 55 to the bellows type expansion member 60. This expansion member is housed in a casing 62 and has associated therewith a return spring 65 bearing at one extremity against the bellows and at the other extremity against a shiftable bracket 66 slidably mounted in the housing 62 and having associated therewith a gear rack 67. The setting means is actually amanually movable or rotatable cable operating through a pinion or drive gear 72 at the extremity thereof which cooperates with a rack 67 to adjust the position of the bracket 66 Within the housing 62 and hence the opposite end of the spring 65 for varying the bias of the same acting against the bellows 60. Thus the operation of the knob 54 will position the spring 65 with respect to the bellows to determine a set point or set temperature for the closed thermal system. Output from this thermal system is provided through the shaft 75 acting against a second slidable housing 77 mounted within the housing 62. This latter housing includes a gear reducing section 78 terminating in a rotatable input shaft 86 having a friction drive member 82 at the extremity thereof.

' The friction drive member '82 cooperates with one or the other of the collars 37, 38 on the motor shaft 36 to take an input rotation from the motor in one direction I or the other and transmit it through the gear train 78 to a final output shaft 85 which has connected thereto a drive cable 88. The housing for the gear reducer and movable being housed in a conventional'casing or ventilator box 10 I having an air inlet passage 12 and an exhaust passage 14 therein. The component parts of this unit ventilator or air conditioner include an air circulation means or fan 15 and a heat exchanger 20, these parts being so disposed that air entering the housing'10 through the inlet 12 will part of the drive clutch or friction clutch 40 is biased within the housing 62 by means of a spring 90. Thus expension. and contraction of the bellows 64 will operate to shift the housing 77 with the gear reducer and output shaftiifl within the housing 62 such that the drive member 52 will be moved between the collars or clutch parts pass over the heat exchanger or around its coils indicated generally at 21 being drawnin through the ends of the circulator and being discharged at the exhaust passage 14 at the top of the box from the outlet of the circulator.

The circulator or fan driven by a fan motor indi- 37, 38 fixed on the shaft 36. The gear reducer is included to reduce the high speed of rotation from the fan motor to a slow output movement at the drive cable 88 sufficient to provide the input driving movement to operate the valve. Thus it will be seen in FIGURES 1 and ,perature expansible fluid therein.

. and mounted in a metal container in heat conducting rewinter changeover.

Lis generally conventional.

changing medium to the heat exchanger coil is elfected by by the manually on-oft switch 32. This unit may drive to operate the valve member.

2, the drive cable 88 which is flexible and rotatable terminates in a similar drive member 95 adjacent the valve.

Valve 42 which is shown in block form is of the rotatable plug type and its shaft has a similar pair of drive mem bers or collars 97, 98 thereon (best seen inFIGURE 3) which are spaced apart' and have located therebetw'een I the friction drive member 95at the end of the cable.

The end of the cable 95'is designed to be positioned in driving relationship with the shaft of the valve .42 through the engagementof one orthe other of the collars 97, 93 at all times. The positioning of the end of the shaft is controlled by a summer-winter changeover element shown generally at All and in detail. in FIGURE '4. This Unit vis associated with the valve or the pipe connectioncom.

nected thereto and contains a bellows 1% having a temlationship with the valve parts to respond to the temperature of the fluid medium passing through the valve and the supply conduit 41 to the heat exchanger. Associated with the bellows is a return spring 1% resting against the end of the casing 110 housing the changeover element and bearing against the bellows 165 atits other extremity.

' A11 output shaft 112 attachedto the bellows extends beyond the housing llti'and carries a journal or bearing member 115' through which the drive cable 88 extends. Thus expansion or contraction of the memberv or bellows 1050f the changeover element will move the-end of the cable 88 and hence the drive member 95 thereon between the flange or clutch surfaces 97, 93.

In winter, toriexample, when the water or temperature changing medium supplied to the heat exchanger is hot,

the bellows will expand urging the end of the shaft and hence the drive member95 up against the tension of the A spring 1%; to engage the clutch member or flange 97 on the stem of. valve 42. Minor changes in the temperature of'the water will not affect significantly the output movementfrom thechhngeover member and hence this flan e 97 or. clutch member will always be engagedvby the drive member95 on the-end ofthe cable 88- during winter operation.

provided by a reduction in temperature of the fluid being valved causing thebellows to collapse causingeng'agement or'the drive member 95 andclutch plate 98 vto'pro- Y vide for an opposite operation or direction of movement of the valve for thesame given movement of the drive cable 88. Thusreverse and direct action of the control valve 42 will be obtained from the thermal system for Theop eration ofthe'air conditioning control apparatus, Control of the temperature means of a thermostat responding to recirculated air ora temperature indicative of the temperature of the space in which theair conditioner is positioned. Thusjit responds to a needforoperation' of the air conditioner or unit ventilator in accordance with the setting established by the control knob. Circulation of the air through the heat exchanger orover the heat exchanger andthrough the unit ventilator is provided from the fan which is driven by the continuously running motor 3% as controlled use a single or multiple speed motor as desired.

.The improved control apparatus herein provides'for asimplification and reduction in the number of parts involved. The fan or circulator motor is utilized-as the.

drive, source or the energy source for the valve through the use .of a reversible drivingmeans operating a cable A given direction of rotation of'the-I drive cable/88 will produce a de'finite direction of move- 1 ment on the stem of the'valve causing a predetermined operation of the. valve 42.. Summer operationwill 'be.

given temperaturechanges' under conditionsof summer- I type operating from'one limit position (closed) to the other position (open) with operation of the thermal system calling'for a change in temperature of the discharged 7 air from the heat exchanger. When-,the.desired tempera- This bellows is sealed.

ture condition in the space being conditioned is reached, the bellows or closed thermal system will operate the clutch to a point at which" the fan motor no longer drives the cable and hence the valve will be'jallowed to stay in the position to which it was driven; v V

A lag in the response of the thermalsystem withthat of the operation of the valve caused by the'delay in the space temperature in arriving at the desired level will be taken up by slippage of the clutch which is of the friction type. Changeover or reversal ot the operation of the motor with respect to the same'thermal system is provide'd by means of the separate changeover element which reverses the drive connection between the cable and valve to effect an opposite rotation to. the valve with operation of the changeover element. Thus, the changeover element' will supply one'direction of operation of the valve'for a given "direction of rotation of a driveshaft for summer and the opposite direction of rotation to the valve for operation of the same for winter operation. This simplified changeover element permits utilization of the same ther- ,mal system and setting device and the same powersource on a single valve for summer-winter operation.

In considering thisinvention, ,it should be'remenibered that the-present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and the scope of the invention is to be determined only by theappended claims.

I claim asmy invention: Q a 1. Air conditioning control apparatus for an air distribution unit including a tan and a coil .type'heat exchanger having aitemperature changingmediumflowi'ng therein, 7 ;comprising,* a continuously'operated motor 'means 'connected to" and operating ,isaid fan, bi-directionalclutch means including a pluralityof parts one fpartof which .is mounted ongsaidmotor means 'to, be rotated therewith, a closed thermal sensing system including a sensing bulb positioned 'with respectv to said air distribution unit to be responsive to temperature indicative of needs of operation of said control apparatus," said thermal system being connected to the otheriof said'parts of said hidirectional clutch means for reversibly operating the same, .a-cable drive means connected to said clutch means to be rotated thereby, valve means; connected to and controlling the fiowofsaid temperature changing medium in said coil type heat exchanger; means 'connecting the opposite'extremityof saidcable drive means to said valve means to operate the same, and" means associated 'with said valve means to respond to the temperature of the temperature changingmedium flowing therethrough, said means being connected to ,saidcable drive-means and said-valve means to reverse the direction of operation. of said valve means, for a" given direction of rotation olisaid cable drive means with different temperatures sensed at'said valvemeans...

2. Air conditioningcontrol apparatuslfor an air dis-' tribution unit having a heat exchanger and an air circulation means associated therewith comprising, motor This reversible cable drive is controlled by the thermostator closed thermal system such that expansion or contraction of the 'asso} .ciated bellows or expansion element of the system will op-v means connected to and operating -zsaidj air circulation means, a reversible .clutch means including a plurality of relatively movable parts, some of said 'parts being] mounted on and driven by' saidmotor means, a closed thermal systemincluding,.a. sensing bulb and an expansion elementoperatively associatedwith said revers- V ible clutch means for reversing theoperation of the same with expansion and contraction erjsaid expansion .ele-

ment, cable drive rfieans connected to andfrotated' by E) other of said parts of said clutch means, valve means connected with and controlling the flow of a temperature changing medium to said heat exchanger, and means connecting said cable drive means and said valve means in operative relationship such that rotation of said cable drive means will operate the valve to open and close the same, said last named means including a temperature responsive means adapted to respond to the temperature of the fluid medium being valved and operate to reverse the direction of operation of said valve means for a given direction of rotation of said cable drive means.

3. Air conditioning control apparatus for an air distribution unit having a heat exchanger and an air circulation means associated therewith comprising, motor means connected to and operating said air circulation means, valve means connected with and controlling the flow of the temperature changing medium to said heat exchanger, reversible drive means coupling said motor to said valve means for operating said valve means from said motor, temperature responsive means for controlling the operation of said reversible drive means, said temperature responsive means being responsive to a condition indicative of the need of operation of said air distribution unit, a changeover temperature responsive means connected to and associated with said valve means and responsive to the temperature of the temperature changing medium being supplied to said heat exchanger, means coupling said changeover responsive mean to said reversible drive means such that the operation of said valve means may be reversed in direction of operation for given directions of drive of said motor means with different temperatures sensed by said changeover responsive means.

4. Air conditioning controlapparatus for an air distribution unit having a heat exchanger and an air circulation means associated therewith comprising, motor means connected to and operating said air circulation means, valve means connected with and controlling the flow of the temperature changing medium to said heat exchanger, reversible drive means coupling said motor to said valve means including cable drive means for operating said valve means from said motor, temperature responsive means for controlling the operation of said reversible drive means, said temperature responsive means being responsive to a condition indicative of the need of operation of said air distribution unit, a changeover temperature responsive means connected to and associated with said valve means and responsive to the temperature of the temperature changing medium being supplied to said heat exchanger, means coupling said changeover responsive means to said reversible drive means such that the operation of said valve means may be reversed in direction of operation for given directions of drive of said motor means with different temperatures sensed by said changeover responsive means.

5. Air conditioning control apparatus for an air distribution unit having a heat exchanger and an air circulation means associated therewith comprising, motor means connected to and operating said air circulation means, a reversible clutch means including a plurality of relatively movable parts, some of said parts being mounted on and driven by said motor means, a closed thermal system including a sensing bulb and an expansion element operatively associated with said reversible clutch means for reversing the operation of the same with expansion and contraction of said expansion element, cable drive means connected to and rotated by other of said parts of said clutch means, valve means connected with and controlling the fioW of a temperature changing medium to said heat exchanger, and means connecting said cable drive means and said valve means in operative relationship such that rotation of said cable drive Will operate the valve to open and close the same, a changeover temperature responsive means connected to and associated with said valve means and responsive to the temperature of the temperature changing medium being supplied to said heat exchanger, means coupling said changeover responsive means to said cable drive means such that the operation of said valve means may be reversed in direction of operation for given directions of drive of said motor means with different temperatures sensed by said changeover responsive means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 533,975 2/95 Waters 23673 2,693,318 11/54 Dibert 236-11 FOREIGN PATENTS 29,937 1909 Great Britain.

EDWARD J, MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

1. AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL APPARATUS FOR AN AIR DISTRIBUTION UNIT INCLUDING A FAN AND A COIL TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER HAVING A TEMPERATURE CHANGING MEDIUM FLOWING THEREIN, COMPRISING, A CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED MOTOR MEANS CONNECTED TO AND OPERATING SAID FAN, BI-DIRECTIONAL CLUTCH MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF PARTS ONE PART OF WHICH IS MOUNTED ON SAID MOTOR MEANS TO BE ROTATED THEREWITH, A CLOSED THERMAL SENSING SYSTEM INCLUDING A SENSING BULB POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO SAID AIR DISTRIBUTION UNIT TO BE RESPONSIVE TO TEMPERATURE INDICATIVE OF NEEDS OF OPERATION OF SAID CONTROL APPARATUS, SAID THERMAL SYSTEM BEING CONNECTED TO THE OTHER OF SAID PARTS OF SAID BIDIRECTIONAL CLUTCH MEANS FOR REVERSIBLY OPERATING THE SAME, A CABLE DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID CLUTCH MEANS TO BE ROTATED THEREBY, VALVE MEANS CONNECTED TO AND CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF SAID TEMPERATURE CHANGING MEDIUM IN SAID COIL TYPE HEAT EXCHANGER, MEANS CONNECTING THE OPPOSITE EXTREMITY OF SAID CABLE DRIVE MEANS TO SAID VALVE MEANS TO OPERATE THE SAME, AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VALVE MEANS TO RESPOND TO THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TEMPERATURE CHANGING MEDIUM FLOWING THERETHROUGH, SAID MEANS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID CABLE DRIVE MEANS AND SAID VALVE MEANS TO REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF OPERATION OF SAID VALVE MEANS FOR A GIVEN DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SAID CABLE DRIVE MEANS WITH DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES SENSED AT SAID VALVE MEANS. 